Alone: The Woman at the Well

Hidden Faces #2

by Golden Keyes Parsons

Marah’s life has been difficult. Her father died when she was three, and a succession of men began the parade through her life—men who disappointed and abused her. Her heart withers away. Her youth fades. She did what she had to do to survive. There is no joy or freshness in her life, until that day at the well of Sychar when a stranger from Galilee asks her for a drink of water. What she had thirsted for all of her life is showered upon her in that brief meeting.

Genres: Biblical Fiction

ebook

First published April 13, 2013

About the author

Golden Keyes Parsons is a popular retreat and conference speaker, author of historical novels and an ordained pastor.

Her book, "In The Shadow Of The Sun King," (Thomas Nelson Publishing), first in a four-book series based on her family genealogy, released Fall 2008, and was named a finalist in the ACFW's Book of the Year Debut Author category. The book chronicles the saga of the Clavell family in 17th century France, where, as French Huguenots, they suffer persecution at the hands of Louis XIV's Catholic government.

The second book, "A Prisoner Of Versailles," was released September 2009. It was a finalist in RWA's Daphne contest as well as a Golden Scroll finalist.

Book Three, "Where Hearts Are Free" released in November of 2010 and was selected as a Women of Faith Library Selection.

His Steadfast Love, a Civil War novel set in Texas, which released in 2011 was named a finalist in the Readers' Choice Awards.

Parsons' biblical novella series released as ebooks through 2012 - 2013 and released as a compilation, Hidden Faces: Nameless Women in Scripture in April of 2014.

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often read Biblical fiction, but having read and enjoyed the author before, I thought I would see her take on this well-known story from Scripture. Sometimes, I get caught up in a judgmental attitude before being reminded that my sin is no different from another’s; the difference is I am forgiven. This short read helped humanize the woman at the well and bring her to life for me—a real person, with a real past, who met a real Savior.

Though her backstory is fictional, these events are completely realistic. The reader is invited into her life, to experience both joy and sorrow, and to contemplate what might have happened to bring her to the well to meet Jesus when she did. I feel like I grew to know her and to care about her circumstances. By doing that, I am also reminded that the flesh and blood people around me also have a “backstory” that changes their perceptions and behaviors.

Those who enjoy Biblical fiction will enjoy this one as well. I would recommend it for mature readers due to some thematic content that can be difficult to read, but it would be a great conversation starter for parents and older teens, or even a study group looking at this passage in Scripture.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WhiteFire Publishing but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The thoughts expressed are both honest and my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked Alone: The Woman at the Well. This is my first introduction to Golden Keyes Parsons's Hidden Faces series. It is only a little over 100 pages long and it took me no time to have it read. Sometimes, I find Biblical Fiction to be a little confusing but I found this one easy to read.
I would give Alone: The Woman at the Well 5 stars. I want to read the others in the Hidden Faces series.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Candy Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This one made me cry! God cares about each and every one of us, and He cares about what we care about! Loved this story!!!

[Anne Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Keyes Parsons had a deep caring for the hidden women in the Bible, the ones whose names aren't even mentioned, especially those whose lives Jesus touched. This one is a novella about the woman at the well in Sychar. Remember her? She'd had five husbands and the one she was living with was not her husband. Jesus told her he knew about that and much more. Astounded, she ran to tell the entire population--the same ones who pointed and snickered behind her back--that The Man of God was at the well.

But you already knew that much, that is, if you've read the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John. This story is the imagination of a consummate storyteller. It's not a romance, and yet that string hums in the background. It's not a mystery, although questions are resolved. This is a novel about a hidden woman whose life Jesus changed forever.

Available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized account of the woman at the well in John 4. While I am a fan of historical fiction, I have decided I am not a fan of Biblical fiction. This book gave great insight into the cultural customs of the day concerning women and marriage but it was really hard for me to go beyond the information given in scripture to like a story that gives the woman a name along with a son that matches the parable of the Good Samaritan . I think I would have enjoyed it more as a devotional story about how a woman of that time may have come to avoid the scorn of other women by going to the well in the heat of the day, leaving her and her family nameless.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure how Golden would play this out but it is nicely done. You actually start with Marah’s encounter with Jesus and that story is slow revealed as we read about Marah’s backstory.

This was a fully engaging story and a quick read as well. Of course this is Golden’s idea of what could have happened and how Marah could have ended up with five husbands but it is definitely an interesting perspective.

If you enjoy Biblical fiction I’m sure you would like this one.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the Samaritan woman at the well. This is historical fiction so the circumstances surrounding "Marah" meeting Christ at the well to collect water when the townspeople would not be there are fictionalized based on the historical culture at that time. I like how the author fictionalized the 5 husbands of Marah so I think of Marah as an honest woman who was consumed by her circumstances, not a practicing harlot making money as a living she chose. You will like her character as a hard working, honest woman who loved her children and honestly sought a husband who would treat her well, along with her children from her first husband, David, who loved her dearly. Her husbands will endear you to them or make you angry. Enjoy!

[Debbie Bigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting

I finished the first book of this series, Trapped, earlier this morning. This second installment was better written and more uplifting than the first. Although Marah suffered many trials through her life, she stayed strong and never lost her compassion for others. God had great plans for her and used her strength to lead others, including her family, to Him. As in the first book, I am once again reminded how faithful Jesus is even when you feel as though you are not worthy. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Umievette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked this novella it was pretty far removed from what I am used to reading on the story of "the woman at the well". For me the reach was too far.